Miriam Álvarez-Hernández, an undocumented immigrant, was among the first this year to get a driving permit. She also was one of the first to register as an organ donor.New drivers like her, immigrants living in the country illegally, are credited with increasing the ranks of organ donors in California by 28 percent, com

About 110,000 undocumented immigrants now have an official state document: a California driver’s license.The DMV recently surpassed the 100,000 mark under a new program hailed by immigrant-rights advocates as a milestone that will make roads safer for everyone in the state.“This program is an example of a pro-

Stuffed into his wallet, Jose Casillas has been carrying proof of his California residency since he was 15.The well-worn state identification card is the golden ticket of documents, proof of residency for one of President Obama’s deportation relief programs for unauthorized immigrants.But Casillas will now have to w

Orange County immigrant rights advocates say they won’t let a federal judge’s ruling derail their efforts to spread the word on President Obama’s immigration plan.Leaders from labor, faith-based and other non-profit organizations said they plan to continue hosting forums and activities, including a press conference

The California Department of Motor Vehicles is expanding the number of appointments it offers and asking customers to go online for certain transactions.Offices are adding appointments for people seeking renewals and increasing the number of available Saturday appointments at 60 field offices.DMV offices have been slammed

The presentations at two Orange County church meetings were similar. The crowds were not.One was predominantly Anglo. The other was Latino.Both focused on President Obama’s upcoming immigration plan and what church members could do to help 100,000 eligible undocumented immigrants across the county apply for deportat

The ACLU and the UCI School of Law Immigrant Rights Clinic filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Department of Homeland Security, saying they want to see records on "roving" patrols that have border agents stopping and detaining people as far as south Orange County.The lawsuit in federal court follows unanswered Freedom of Information

Vanessa Pumar went to law school to help her family sort out their immigration visas. She wasn’t thinking about passing the bar exam or getting a license to practice law.“I just wanted to figure out what’s going on with our situation,” said Pumar, who moved to Irvine from Venezuela as a child. “In my hea

The California Senate’s top legislator will team up with the DMV Saturday to host a free community workshop on the new driver’s license law and low-cost auto insurance available to local immigrants residing unlawfully in the country.Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, and officials from the state

Orange County has the third-largest number of unauthorized immigrants in the nation who could benefit from President Obama’s deportation relief plan, according to a report released Thursday.Of 313,000 estimated residents living illegally in Orange County, 109,000 are parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. That m

SANTA ANA – With a certified copy of her birth certificate on hand, Martha Gonzalez Ceballos declared her Mexican pride with hopes to better integrate in the United States, a country she’s called home for more than 20 years.“This document is so important for all of us,” said Ceballos, 56, a Garden Grove reside

The typical unauthorized immigrant in Orange County is from Mexico, has deep roots in this country and holds down at least one job.Nearly half of unauthorized adults older than 25 have at least a high school diploma, and half of those graduates attended college. About half don’t speak English. One in four is a homeowner. Most a

Here’s the first clue that something is up at local DMV offices: Cars circle the parking lot like a merry-go-round.And, yes, those are lines of people snaking out the door, sometimes around the building.In the first week of this year – the first time in 20 years when undocumented immigrants can get California

STANTON – The wait wasn’t long. The test wasn’t too hard. And after only a couple of hours, Santa Ana resident Miriam Álvarez-Hernández walked out of Orange County’s newest DMV office Friday with a driving permit.
“This is such a relief. I’m very happy. I did it!,” said Álvar

The holiday season will wrap up in a few days, but for many unauthorized immigrants living in California, the gifts of 2014 are arriving after New Year’s.From the federal government, here’s what an estimated